The Hovering Birds

I sought peace
'mid the solace of
water and green.
God knew my needs;
He sent two of his creatures
winging to the islands:
great white birds,
slowly hovering.

They turned;
I swear they smiled
and settled on the
wading beach.
I never saw such beauty!
They encompassed, they
dominated
the waters,
the verdant islands,
the blue skies,
e'en the gray, distant trees.
These winged symbols of peace
stayed with me,
and my heart was glad!

-Olga Laird Hinckley

The original poem.